New cattle trailer

lefthooker

Guys/gals, I seek advice and wisdom.
I’d like to change my rickety old cattle trailer before the winter. I currently have a 16ft jobbie that can hold 8 fat cattle. It’s best days are behind it.
Requirements are to carry at least 10 cattle and have aluminium floor, ramp and sides.
Would 18ft be too tight? And if I go to 20ft will I regret not having tandem axles? I see a lot of Broughan trailers on the roads and will check them out but what other makes are out there that you have knowledge of and would recommend?

Thanks, LH.

Limestone Cowboy

lefthooker wrote: »

Guys/gals, I seek advice and wisdom.
I’d like to change my rickety old cattle trailer before the winter. I currently have a 16ft jobbie that can hold 8 fat cattle. It’s best days are behind it.
Requirements are to carry at least 10 cattle and have aluminium floor, ramp and sides.
Would 18ft be too tight? And if I go to 20ft will I regret not having tandem axles? I see a lot of Broughan trailers on the roads and will check them out but what other makes are out there that you have knowledge of and would recommend?

Thanks, LH.

Lynch, gleeson and scully. All fairly expensive though. Was pricing them at the ploughing last year.

Panch18

I'd say your looking at 20 foot to guarantee 10 cattle in it, out 18 ft will take 10 some days and not others - depending on how the loading is and how they go up.

I've always like Dooley myself

nhg

We bought a 20' single axle Broughan 2 yrs ago & are very pleased with it - had 16 yearlings in it today.
We looked at the Dooley as they are manufactured locally but were very disappointed with the finish on it & we didn't like the ridges on the floor in it.

locha

nhg wrote: »

We bought a 20' single axle Broughan 2 yrs ago & are very pleased with it - had 16 yearlings in it today.
We looked at the Dooley as they are manufactured locally but were very disappointed with the finish on it & we didn't like the ridges on the floor in it.

What HP have you in front of that trailer?

nhg

locha wrote: »

What HP have you in front of that trailer?

75HP but could do with a few more HP...

Decided to buy the trailer the size we wanted as I'm sure the tractor will be getting changed at some stage in the future...

We use the trailer to bring yearlings to the outfarm 15km away...

lefthooker

Limestone Cowboy wrote: »

Lynch, gleeson and scully. All fairly expensive though. Was pricing them at the ploughing last year.

There’s a nice bit of research there. A new trailer will be expensive but there’s very few fresh secondhand trailers out there. The ploughing was hopeless and honestly a waste of time. There was either a work experience lad was on the stand or there was no follow up call.

cute geoge

Have anyone experience of tom beresford cattle trailers ,he is the guy advertised in the journal .money seems ok for them

lefthooker

nhg wrote: »

We bought a 20' single axle Broughan 2 yrs ago & are very pleased with it - had 16 yearlings in it today.
We looked at the Dooley as they are manufactured locally but were very disappointed with the finish on it & we didn't like the ridges on the floor in it.

That’s a fine job and Broughan are in the gf’s parish so will be due a call. It’s a shame they stopped selling direct

Count Mondego

Limestone Cowboy wrote: »

Lynch, gleeson and scully. All fairly expensive though. Was pricing them at the ploughing last year.

What's a ballpark price for 18 or 20 foot one of these?

locha

nhg wrote: »

75HP but could do with a few more HP...

Decided to buy the trailer the size we wanted as I'm sure the tractor will be getting changed at some stage in the future...

We use the trailer to bring yearlings to the outfarm 15km away...

75hp is doing well. The broughan is a great trailer, will last you a lifetime. Would a tandem axel have been easier pulled?

Limestone Cowboy

Count Mondego wrote: »

What's a ballpark price for 18 or 20 foot one of these?

12-15k.

nhg

Count Mondego wrote: »

What's a ballpark price for 18 or 20 foot one of these?

We paid €12500 for it, bought direct.....

Reggie.

nhg wrote: »

We paid €12500 for it, bought direct.....

That's a nice trailer

patsy_mccabe

Reggie. wrote: »

That's a nice trailer

Reggie......NO!

Reggie.

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Reggie......NO!

Whaaaaaa

Reggie.

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Reggie......NO!

Whaaaaaa

lefthooker

nhg wrote: »

We paid €12500 for it, bought direct.....

Very nice trailer. How does she behave fully loaded on the single axle?

nhg

lefthooker wrote: »

Very nice trailer. How does she behave fully loaded on the single axle?

No bother at all, very easy to pull....

Muckit

What size are those tyres as a matter of interest?

lefthooker

Does anyone have any feedback on A&W trailers?
I’ve got a few prices, a 20’ tandem axle A&W is only marginally dearer than a single axle Broughan. They seem well spec’d but I’ll have to view to see the finish.

Muckit

Would lads have work for these 20' trailers?

Put it this way, l know its a bit obvious but l've a 12' tractor trailer(which would be classed as v small) and lll bring the same as one of them in 2 loads.

They're not really a piece of machinery you'd be using every day. 20'x8' would be an awkward yoke around a yard and turning in off narrow country roads.

Reggie.

Muckit wrote: »

Would lads have work for these 20' trailers?

Put it this way, l know its a bit obvious but l've a 12' tractor trailer(which would be classed as v small) and lll bring the same as one of them in 2 loads.

They're not really a piece of machinery you'd be using every day. 20'x8' would be an awkward yoke around a yard and turning in off narrow country roads.

16ft or 18ft are nice sizes

Limestone Cowboy

Reggie. wrote: »

16ft or 18ft are nice sizes

16ft is too small.

Muckit

Even at mart/factory and a lad drops down 8 heavy cattle out of a 16' and l'll bring 6 heavy cattle handy in my piddly 12'!

Big trailer= big shed when drawbar and all is taken into account

Limestone Cowboy

Muckit wrote: »

Even at mart/factory and a lad drops down 8 heavy cattle out of a 16' and l'll bring 6 heavy cattle handy in my piddly 12'!

Big trailer= big shed when drawbar and all is taken into account

Don't think you'll put 8 heavy cattle in a 16ft, had the loan of one last year and 7 cows was an awful squeeze in it. Don't really like them over packed in the trailer either.

lefthooker

Muckit wrote: »

Would lads have work for these 20' trailers?

Put it this way, l know its a bit obvious but l've a 12' tractor trailer(which would be classed as v small) and lll bring the same as one of them in 2 loads.

They're not really a piece of machinery you'd be using every day. 20'x8' would be an awkward yoke around a yard and turning in off narrow country roads.

Personally, I got great use out of my 16ft so I’m sure the same would apply to a 18 or even 20. Time has become precious so the fewer journeys I have to make the better. The local dealer said he sells more 24 & 26ft trailers than 18 or 20’s and named 4 farmers I know that I could talk to but they all have the bigger trailers. Manoeuvrability isn’t a problem, my bale trailer is 22ft and I’ve sometimes got my neighbour to bring a load of cattle, 17, with his 28ft trailer but it needs to be a full load to make it worth while.

Reggie wrote:

16ft or 18ft are nice sizes

I tend to agree with Limestone, but 18ft would be a nice size on a single axle tho.

Don't think you'll put 8 heavy cattle in a 16ft, had the loan of one last year and 7 cows was an awful squeeze in it. Don't really like them over packed in the trailer either.

I can put 8 FR cows or fat bullocks in my trailer handy. But it’s become nerve jangling when they start moving. When I change the trailer I’d like to go bigger to give the flexibility to put a few extra in. And should I go bigger will I regret not going for a tandem axle??? It’s head melting.

poor farmer

I have a 19 foot by 8 single axle. It's a great trailer and I can get in virtually everywhere with it.
In ten years I have replaced 2 tyres. No other repairs.
Any 80hp+ will manage. More if you have it. Brakes are important. Twin axle trailers run smoother on the road.

lefthooker

poor farmer wrote: »

I have a 19 foot by 8 single axle. It's a great trailer and I can get in virtually everywhere with it.
In ten years I have replaced 2 tyres. No other repairs.
Any 80hp+ will manage. More if you have it. Brakes are important. Twin axle trailers run smoother on the road.

What make is your trailer?

irishoak

With regard to your trailer size, was talking to a farmer a year or so ago. Bought a new Broughan trailer, was a beautiful trailer, 20ft single axle.. think he said it was priced around 500 per ft. Plus another 2000 I think for an extra axle, which means ideally you would probably want to go to 22/24 ft to justify the cost.

mayota

22’ Hudson on DD, tandem. €14.5k. Fine looking trailer.

nhg

Muckit wrote: »

What size are those tyres as a matter of interest?

245/70T 19.5 - 10 stud - Twin Wheel

kerry cow

Was at a mart recently and saw a 34 ft broughan trailer . Seriously well made .
Had a welded steel floor and ali sides and ramp.
On asking , was told it makes the trailer stronger .

lefthooker

mayota wrote: »

22’ Hudson on DD, tandem. €14.5k. Fine looking trailer.

I saw it. It’s a fine trailer but honestly bigger than I need for my own use.

lefthooker

irishoak wrote: »

With regard to your trailer size, was talking to a farmer a year or so ago. Bought a new Broughan trailer, was a beautiful trailer, 20ft single axle.. think he said it was priced around 500 per ft. Plus another 2000 I think for an extra axle, which means ideally you would probably want to go to 22/24 ft to justify the cost.

It depends on which dealership you’re talking to. The price difference between two dealers on a 20ft single axle broughan is €700 + vat. Another axle is €3000 + vat.

cute geoge

You would need to be shifting alot of stock to justify spending €15k on a cattle trailer .I would tip away with my old trailer and get haulier for the longer trips surely you could find something more profitable to sink €15k into .

lab man

lefthooker wrote:

Guys/gals, I seek advice and wisdom. I’d like to change my rickety old cattle trailer before the winter. I currently have a 16ft jobbie that can hold 8 fat cattle. It’s best days are behind it. Requirements are to carry at least 10 cattle and have aluminium floor, ramp and sides. Would 18ft be too tight? And if I go to 20ft will I regret not having tandem axles? I see a lot of Broughan trailers on the roads and will check them out but what other makes are out there that you have knowledge of and would recommend?

There was a fine one at hennessey auction in County laois ring the mart there they have his number. I only saw it in fb page to be fair

Grueller

My outfarm is about 7-8 miles away. I toyed with the idea of buying a new broughan as well last year. I decided that €200-300 to a lad with a trailer and 50k tractor twice a year is easier stomach than €13k spent. Nobody borrowing it and dropping it back full of scutter and damaged either. No maintenance on lights or brakes etc.

whelan2

This lad is close enough to me and does good trailers https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiIo7uf0enaAhWQCOwKHRlcBhMQFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.trailersireland.ie%2Famt-engineering-contact%2F&usg=AOvVaw25F7XCfa6aiIbx_j_d-HTR

lefthooker

whelan2 wrote: »

This lad is close enough to me and does good trailers https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiIo7uf0enaAhWQCOwKHRlcBhMQFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.trailersireland.ie%2Famt-engineering-contact%2F&usg=AOvVaw25F7XCfa6aiIbx_j_d-HTR

Thanks whelan. I’ve seen his ad on DD too.

We were drawing out FR heifers yesterday with the 12x6 box. It got the job done but for larger numbers at turn out or housing it’d be an all day job and I’d be driven demented. Once you can get over the initial outlay there’s definitely a place for a larger tractor trailer, even just for the convenience of doing the job at times that suit me rather than waiting for or trying to have things ready for when a haulier will do the job.
Just my two cent

nhg

lefthooker wrote: »

Thanks whelan. I’ve seen his ad on DD too.

We were drawing out FR heifers yesterday with the 12x6 box. It got the job done but for larger numbers at turn out or housing it’d be an all day job and I’d be driven demented. Once you can get over the initial outlay there’s definitely a place for a larger tractor trailer, even just for the convenience of doing the job at times that suit me rather than waiting for or trying to have things ready for when a haulier will do the job.
Just my two cent

I agree 100% especially this year, we have never before had to bring animals home from the outfarm following turnout in spring - so far this year we've brought two batches home, 1st batch place got too wet & had to re-house them for about two weeks and yesterday we brought a batch of 14 yearlings back home to give a chance for grass to grow.... Nice to be able to do these jobs on a day & time that suits us.

Moved a few cattle to an outfarm for a good neighbor last week, he usually gets a haulier to do it but when he asked we didn't hesitate as he keeps an eye on the place for us when we're not there, this is our 3rd year with the trailer & this was the first time he asked.

With regard to loaning stuff.... We never borrow nor never lend!

lefthooker

So I've been crunching numbers.
I brought my trailer to a local engineer to size it up. He valued it in its present condition at €1200 max. He estimated €3.5-4k for materials, axle+ rims, time and labour but I won't see that amount in the trailer's value. Assuming €10/head, haulage to the factory and in/out of housing could cost up to €1500/year but I could probably get smaller animals done a bit cheaper, and I would be trying to have full loads(14-17 animals) for handiness sake.

I think those figures are pointing me towards buying a trailler

Parishlad

lefthooker wrote: »

So I've been crunching numbers.
I brought my trailer to a local engineer to size it up. He valued it in its present condition at €1200 max. He estimated €3.5-4k for materials, axle+ rims, time and labour but I won't see that amount in the trailer's value. Assuming €10/head, haulage to the factory and in/out of housing could cost up to €1500/year but I could probably get smaller animals done a bit cheaper, and I would be trying to have full loads(14-17 animals) for handiness sake.

I think those figures are pointing me towards buying a trailler

I put a lot of value in having my own stuff so that I can do things when it suits me and not have to rely on others. For this reason alone, assuming I had a decent enough amount of work for the trailer, I would buy one. If you get something that suits your needs I doubt you will regret it!

lefthooker

Been a fierce busy time here so haven’t done a whole lot more about a trailer. I was letting calves out after the silage and was using the 12x6. It was so much easier to manoeuvre and load than the bigger trailer. Which got me thinking about a bigger box, something like a Hudson 16ft or 18ft x6”6’. Obviously not as big as the trailers I was initially looking at but also not as expensive. It’s a bit of a trek up to the north to look at one so has anyone used one and what’s the opinion on Hudson trailers in general?.

Thanks.